Nias Hill Myna - BirdForum Opus

Alternative name: Nias Myna

Gracula robusta

Identification

32cm. A large, black myna.

• Bare yellow patch below eye and line of bare yellow skin behind eye backwards around nape, extending into two pendulous wattles
• Mostly black plumage with some purple gloss and turquoise to bronzy sheen
• Black wing with white patch
• Brown eye
• Orange to red bill, strongly curved
• Chrome-yellow legs

Sexes similar. Juveniles are less glossy and have smaller wattles.

Distribution

Endemic to some islands off Sumatra (Nias, Pulan, Babi, Tuangku and Bangkaru).
Has a very small range and is poorly studied.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly included in Common Hill Myna.

Habitat

Woodland, evergreen or deciduous forest, forest edge, also disturbed areas (with some large trees remaining). Occurs from the lowlands up to the hills.

Behaviour

Feeds mainly on fruit and nectar. Takes sometimes also insects and other small animals (up to small lizards).
Usually seen in pairs or small groups.
A resident species.

Breeding

Breeding season differs through range, may breed up to three times per year. A monogamous species.
The nest is made of small twigs, leaves and feathers and placed in a tree hole, usually at least 10m above the ground. May nest in association with other species like Vernal Hanging-Parrot. 2-3 light blue to blue-green eggs with brown to lavender spotting are laid; incubation by both sexes for 13–17 days; parental care by both adults; young fledge at 25–28 days; post-fledging care is minimal. Brood parasitism by Common Koel recorded.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. Gill, F and M Wright. 2008. Birds of the World: Recommended English Names. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ, USA. 2006. ISBN 9780691128276. Update (2008) downloaded from http://worldbirdnames.org/names.html.
3. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Nias Hill Myna. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Nias_Hill_Myna

External Links

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